Rebel fighters try to avoid flying shrapnel during heavy shelling by forces loyal to Kadafi. Rebels regrouped and advanced on Bin Jawwad after being ambushed by government forces and forced from the city earlier in the day.

Crowds attend a pro-regime rally after reports of gains in Misurata and Zawiya. One reveler, asked why he was celebrating, said, "I don't know." It became clear that many there were members of Moammar Kadafi's security forces and their families.

Aside from rocket-propelled grenades, vintage anti-aircraft artillery and recoil-less rifles, the Libyan rebels are lightly armed and poorly equipped. They are an undisciplined force prone to wasting ammunition by randomly shooting their weapons into the air.

African guest workers gather at a refugee center at the harbor. Human Rights Watch representatives said that Africans trying to flee the unrest have been denied access to ships ferrying refugees to Europe. In addition, dark-skinned people — including black Libyans — have been the frequent target of violence in recent weeks.

Surprise counterattack forces Libya rebels to retreat

Opposition forces trying to reach Surt, the hometown of Moammar Kadafi, were forced to retreat to the desert outpost of Ras Lanuf after a ground and air assault by Kadafi loyalists. Violence reportedly continued in cities across the Libyan coast, from Zawiya in the west to Benghazi in the east. Meanwhile, in Tripoli, Kadafi supporters rallied in Green Square after being told of military gains outside the capital.